Named in 8 known lawsuits, $370,000 total settlements.
Smith-Ruffin, Rayshaun vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 512272/2022,
Supreme Court - Kings, May 2, 2022
Complaint
Description: On December 16, 2020 at approximately 6AM, PO Tiffany Martinez, Eric Delman, Patrick Craig, and other officers including Cuoco, Isabelle, Patel, Albarracin, Perico, Feely, Gale, Abrams, Garcia, Seery, Avent, Valentin, Barry, Malone, Boehm, and Fagan illegally entered the Plaintiff's home without a warrant. They demanded the plaintiff to get on the ground and dragged them out from underneath his bed. They then forced the plaintiff to stand by grapping his arms and then slammed him onto the ground without legal authority to do so before forcing him up again. The officers violently physically restrained the plaintiff by contorting his arms behind him and utilizing handcuffs that were excessively tight. Despite the...
Moreira, Anthony vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 19CV01443,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, March 15, 2019, ended October 31, 2019
$5,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On or about March 12, 2016, plaintiff was riding as a passenger in a vehicle when NYPD officers stopped the vehicle and threw plaintiff onto the ground. One officer placed his knee and his entire body weight onto plaintiff. Plaintiff was then handcuffed and taken to a precinct. Officer Tony Cuoco falsely informed the District Attorney’s Office that plaintiff had been in possession of a weapon.
Stroman, Aaron vs Police Officer Cuoco, Tony, Shield No. 17359, et al.
Case # 500560/2019,
Supreme Court - Kings, February 5, 2019
Complaint
Description: On January 9, 2016, plaintiff was lawfully present in the street when he was stopped by defendant POs Cuoco and Quattrocchi who had their guns pointed at him. Defendant PO Martinez indicated that he knew plaintiff, who had previously sued him for violating his civil and constitutional rights. Without any probable cause, plaintiff was then placed under arrest. At the precinct, defendant POs knowingly provided false information to the District Attorney's Office, causing plaintiff to be charged with crimes he did not commit.
Peebles, Lamont vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 501083/2019,
Supreme Court - Kings, January 18, 2019, ended May 9, 2023
$110,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On January 11, 2018, Plaintiff, who was an overnight guest at 521 Schenck Avenue in Brooklyn, was sleeping in a bedroom when NYPD officers, including Cuoco, forcibly and unlawfully entered the premises, pointed firearms at him, and seized and detained him. The officers forcibly handcuffed and arrested Plaintiff.
Plaintiff was falsely charged with crimes related to the possession of an illegal firearm based on fabricated evidence, including a claim that a piece of mail addressed to Plaintiff was found at the premises. As a result, Plaintiff was incarcerated, required to post bail, and held in custody for approximately one week. On July 6, 2018, all criminal charges against Plaintiff were dismissed.
Joseph, Jahshon vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 521402/2018,
Supreme Court - Kings, October 25, 2018, ended July 1, 2019
$45,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On October 26, 2016, the plaintiff was walking near Logan St. and Sutter Ave. in Brooklyn, NY, when he was approached by defendant officers Matthew Solomito, Tony Cucco, and John Does #1-10. Despite not arousing any suspicion of illicit behavior, the officers ordered him to “freeze” and line up against a gate. The plaintiff complied peacefully. After searching him and finding no contraband, the officers forcefully slammed him to the ground and violently assaulted him by kicking, punching, and kneeing him in the back, causing physical injuries. Without probable cause or reasonable suspicion, the plaintiff was arrested and taken to a nearby precinct.
At the precinct, the plaintiff was subjected to an invasive st...
Smothers, Quandel vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 511939/2017,
Supreme Court - Kings, June 21, 2017, ended October 19, 2018
$175,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On June 16, 2014, plaintiff was lawfully within the vicinity of Festac Grill, 273 Hendrix St, Brooklyn, NY, attending a party. At the end of the party, a fight broke out outside the location. Several NYPD officers including defendants approached the location. They claim to have observed plaintiff walk away from the scene. Defendants followed plaintiff, and approached him with his taser drawn. Plaintiff ran, and while running, tripped and fell. Defendant Cuoco fired three to four rounds at plaintiff; none hit plaintiff. Cuoco continued to pursue plaintiff. Cuoco fired two more shots at plaintiff; one struck him in the abdomen. Cuoco placed handcuffs on plaintiff. Defendants claimed to have recovered a firearm fo...
Augustin, Garvey vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 16CV05260,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, September 30, 2016, ended June 20, 2017
$20,000 Settlement
Amended Complaint,
Complaint,
Stipulation
Description: The plaintiff was rounding the corner of the street looking for a cab when an unmarked car pulled up next to him and 5 officers in plain clothes chased down and arrested him. They searched him and found nothing, but brought him to the nearby precinct anyway and searched him again. With nothing to charge the plaintiff with, the defendant officers charged him with a traffic violation for being on a roadway instead of sidewalk in violation of Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1156.A. The charge was later dismissed.
Exeter, Dirk vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 16CV03013,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, June 17, 2016, ended March 16, 2017
$15,000 Settlement
Complaint,
First Amended Complaint
Description: Plaintiff was driving his car when two women, including an undercover cop, waved him over and solicited money for sex. Plaintiff declined and drove away but was pulled over by unmarked vehicles blocks later. Defendant Officers then pulled him out of the car, searched him, and brought him to the 75th Precinct, where he was charged for soliciting a prostitute. All charges were later dismissed.
